Coil spring appliance



- Feb. 20-, 1945. T G DT 2,370,111

COIL SPRING APPLIANCE Filed Dec. 26, 1941 4.Shets-Sheet i INVENTORThea'mn Gl enwwd Sfioudi,

ATTORN V Feb. 20, 1945.

T. e. STOUDT COIL SPRING APPLIANCE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 26, 1941F1. E's--5 INVENTORZ Ihearon gknwoadfioudi,

Y E N R O T T A Filed Dec. 26,- 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR;

ATTO R N Y Feb. 24), 1945. STOUDT 2,370,111

COIL SPRING APPLIANCE Filed Dec. 26, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 2 INVENTOR.Thearon Glenumodwoudz Patented Feb. 20, 1945 2,37,,ill

Fries COIL SPRING APPLIANCE Thearon Glenwood Stoudt, West Reading, Pa.,as-

signor to Textile Machine Works, Wyomissing, Pa., a corporation ofPennsylvania.

Application December 26, 1941, Serial No. 424,550

(Cl. 267-I-l) 17 Claims.

This invention relates to means associated with coil springs operated atcomparatively high speeds, to prevent detrimental vibratory actionthereof when in use. I

It is well known that under certain conditions, high speed operation ofcoil springs will set up detrimental vibratory or surging action in thesame. Among other things, such action induces inexpensive tomanufacture; which when applied to a horizontally positioned springbraces the noisy operation, varies the tension of the springs,

reduces the operating efficiency of the mechanism associated with thesprings, and gives rise to forces which efiect premature fatigue, andbreakage, of the springs. Difiiculties of this nature are experiencedwith certain high speed springs used on full-fashioned and otherknitting machines, for example, the springs of a full-fashioned knittingmachine which function to maintain cam follower rollers in contact withcams rotated at a speed of about seventy-five or more revolutions perminute. It has been found that devices heretofore available to overcomethe said difliculties, are either not adaptable for use with suchknitting machine springs, or unsatisfactory when used in conjunctiontherewith.

It is an object of my invention to provide a novel device, or appliance,for overcoming the mentioned and other difiiculties in connection withcoil springs in general, and particularly those used on knittingmachines and the like.

Another object is to provide such a device which will not seriouslyinterfere withthe spring, when operating either at low or high speed.

A further object is to provide such a device which is capable ofprogressively obstructing, subduing, or dampening, the surging tendencyof a spring being operated at high speed, to such an extent that thespring operation is substantially normal, or similar to that of a sprinbeing operated at low speed.

An additional object is to provide such a device having elements whichdo not contact the coils of the spring when the latter is at rest, oroperating at low speed, and which function to limit lateral movement ofthe coils incident to spring operation at relatively high speed.

A further object is to provide such a device which is particularlyadapted for association with certain types of springs on flat, orfullfashioned, knitting machines.

Among other objects are, to provide such a device for a coil springoperated at high speed. which may be quickly and easily applied to,andremoved from, the spring; which is. simple in construction,comparatively light in weight, and

latter against sagging; which engages the spring in such manner thatthere is a minimum of friction between the device and the spring whenthe latter is in operation; and which has the desirable features andadvantages over prior art devices apparent from the detailed disclosureof the invention, as hereinafter set forth.

With these and other objects in view, which will become apparent fromthe following detailed description of the illustrative embodiment of theinvention shown in the accompanying drawings, my invention resides inthe novel device comprising the new elements, features of construc tionand arrangement of parts in cooperative relationship as hereinafter moreparticularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view ofthe device shown in Fig. 1 but on a reducedscale;

Fig. 3 is a top view of the device as shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged 'fragmentary sectional view, taken substantiallyalong line 4-4 of Fig.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged left end view of the device as shown" in Fig. 3';

Fig. 6 is an enlarged right end view of the device shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. '7 is a sectional view of a full-fashioned knitting machine withcertain parts omitted, to more clearly show the application-of myinvention;

Fig. 8 is a front view of certain parts of the mechanism shown in Fig.'7;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 9--9 of Fig.'7;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 7, showing the parts in difierentoperative positions;

Fig. 11 is a detail sectional view of certain parts of the mechanismofFig. 10; I

Fig. 12 is an enlarged sectional 'view, take substantially along line|2-!2 of Fig. 10; and

Fig. 13' is a sectional view taken substantially along line iii-43 ofFig. 11.

' In the drawings and description my invention is exemplified inassociation with the spring of a full-fashioned knitting machine ofwhich only the means necessary to a complete understanding of theinvention-have been specifically set forth; further information as tothe construction and operation of other related, usual and well knownknitting elements, mechanisms, etc., may be found in one or more of thefollowing publications:

1. Pamphlet entitled-Full-Fashioned Knitting Machines-published andcopyrighted by the Textile Machine Works, Reading, Pennsylvania, in1920.

2. Three catalogs entiled--The Reading Full- Fashioned Knitting MachineParts Catalogpublished and copyrighted by the Textile Machine Works, in1929, 1935 and 1940, respectively.

3. Booklet entitled-The Reading High Production Full Fashioned KnittingMachinewhich forms a supplement to-the above noted 1940 parts catalog ofthe TextileMachine Works, and which booklet is a publication of theTextile Machine Works, and was copyrighted by the latter in 1940.

4. Pamphlet entitled-Knitting Machine Lectures-publishedby the:-Wyomissing Polytechnic Institute, Wyomissing; Pennsylvania, in 1935.

Inpractice, the device orappliance 20 of my invention, maybeassociatedwith the coil spring 22 of a machine usedrfonknittingfull-fashioned stockings, as illustrated in: the drawings. Such a--spring generall -comprises a cylindrical main body portion. 22a composedof coils of uniform diameter, and. end: portions 22b and 220, one ofFigs. 1, 2, 5 and 6, which is inserted between adjacent coils of the endportion 22b and bent over to rest upon the spring, see Fig. 11. Inaddition, the free ends of the side bars 24a and 24?) are shaped to restagainst the end 22b of the spring to further assist in maintaining thedevice in anchored position on the spring.

. It will be apparent from reference to Figs. 7 and 10, that'thedeviceZll extends over substantially the entire length of the spring 22,when the latter is contracted. When the spring is tenwhich is securedtoa stationary part and the other to a movable: part 32 of the: machine,by connector elements: 22d and 22a, ordinarily associated with the.spring. Thetaperingend portions 22b and 22a consist of coilsofprogressively= reduced diameters, astshown in Figs. 11 and 13.

In springs of thiskind it" has been found that at high speed operation,detrimental surging actions, or vibrations, originate; at. the movableend 220, which move lengthwise of theuspring toward the stationary end:2217' thereof; These vibrations abruptly terminate upon arriving at thecoil 22 of the end portion 22am; contact with-said connector part 22d.This action. induces abnormal twisting of certain coils, with consequentpremature fatigue and breakage of the spring, atone point or'another.

The device 20 comprises a". series of substantially C-sectionsleeve-like spring clip members, or collars, 23, 23a and 232),. held in:spaced and aligned relationship with each otherbyconnecting bars 2 3',260. and 24?) secured thereto at 25, as by welding, soldering, rivetingor other well known and practical means. The spaced mem bers 23, 23aand23b arepreferablyof; thin sheet material, such as resilient metal,arranged to be sprung around theknitting machine coil spring 22, havingan outside diameter slightly larger than the inside diameterof saidmembers, and surrounding more than 180 but less than 360 of theperimeter of the spring. Members 23, 23a and 23b are, therefore; adaptedto snugly engage the spring 2-2, in the manner illustrated in Fig. 12,without, however, preventing longitudinal movement of the. coilsthereof: relative. to the members. The-connecting. bars 24, 24a and 24bare spaced from the spring: (Fig: 11). a distance equal substantially tothe thickness of the metal from which the members- 23', 23a and 2321-are formed, so thatxnofriction can exist between the-bars" and spring:during slow speed operation of the latter. Obviously, this spacing. maybe varied, as desired, by varying the thickness of the. spacer means.The device 20 is anchored against axial displacement relative to. thesubstantially inactive part 22b of the spring 22, by means of a free endextension 24c, illustrated in sioned, as when the cam follower 26 is ona high point of the cam 38, the length of the spring 22 is increased andextends beyond the device 20. However, since" the detrimentalvibrations, or surging action of the spring 22, is at a maximum when.the. spring is contracted and therefore practically entirely within thedevice 20, the latter is effective along substantially the entirelength. of. the. spring. during, the. critical. phase of the spring.vibration. cycle.

I have foundthat. when the. spring 22 isoperated at high speed, byitself andpwithout the device 20, theVibratory or surgingaction isparticularly noticeable. when. the follower is on the inactive pant ofthe cam 38, however,.when the device 20 isapplied' to thespringthisaction is progressively obstructed or subdued by the members 23, 23a and23b, to. a point eliminatingv all detrimental effect. on thesprlng. In.this connection the bars 24, 24a. and 24b function. to maintain thelateral. vibrations of the spring confined within the limits. determinedby the spacing of the barsfrom the spring, and also effect asubstantially rigid. structure whichbraces the spring against sagging,when inhorizontalposition- Themovement, of. the spring 22 in thedevice20 causes. the. collars. 23,, 23a and 23b to have a restraining action.on those portionsof the spring with. which thecollars slidinglycooperate. The extent of. this. restraining action depends upon theamount of elongation of the. spring 22,. as determined by the contour ofthe operating cam 38. It will be understood, therefore, that thesurgedampening or vibration reducing effect is progressive,.becausethecollars 23, 23a and 231) are arranged. so that-the slidingcooperation of each collar with the spring varies in extent. The collar23b beinglocated' near the active end of spring, 22, where the surgingaction originates, obviously exerts the. greatestv surge restraininginfluence. The. minor. impulses passing beyond collar 23b, are furtherreduced by the collar 23, and are. entirely sto'pped'when reachingcollar In order'that theconstruction and purpose of the springs 22 maybe fully understood, it is pointed out that thesesprings areapproximately sixteen inches long, one and three-fourths inches indiameter (middle. section) and are formed of. wire approximatelyone-fourth of an inch in diameter. They are cooperatively associatedwith. the wellv known balancing cam mechanism of the full-fashioned.knitting machine of the Reading type. illustrated, to maintain a camrollerv 26 in operative engagement with balancing cams38 and 39.

The illustrated parts of. the knitting machine comprise beams 35 and 31,center-bed 40. and front bed or table 42 which are arranged in parallel.relationship lengthwise. of" the machine, and cooperate with upright:frames: 43 to effect a. rigid fram structure on which. thev variousmechanisms of the. machine are supported. A camshaft 44 extendslengthwise of the machine in parallel relationship to the aforesaid bedsand beams, and is rotatably mounted in bearings (not shown) secured tothe frames 43. A series of cams including balancing cams 38 and 39 aremounted on the camshaft 44, as by cam flanges 48 which are fastened tothe camshaft in well known manner. The regular knitting mechanismbalancing cam 38 and the narrowing mechanism balancing cam 39 arearranged in juxtaposed relationship on the camshaft 44. Cam 38cooperates with the cam roller 26 when the camshaft 44 is in its normalposition, as shown in Fig. 8, whereas the narrowing cam 39 engages theroller 26 when the camshaft M is shifted axially a distance of one camwidth to the right from the position shown in Fig. 8 to its so-callednarrowing position.

Of course, the novel device shown and described, by which I obtain thereferred to advantageous results, can be changed and modified in variousways without departing from the in vention herein disclosed andhereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. A device of the character described comprising a plurality of axiallyspaced substantially cylindrical members arranged for slidingassociation in use with the outside of a coil spring of a knittingmachine and having their central transverse planes substantially atright angles to the axis of the spring, means for securing said deviceto said spring, and means for securing said members in longitudinallyspaced relationship along said spring.

2. A device of the character described, comprising a plurality ofsubstantially cylindrical members arranged for sliding association withthe coil spring of a knitting machine, and a plurality of connector barsarranged to maintain said members in axially spaced relationship alongsaid spring.

3. A device of the character described, comprising a plurality ofsleeve-like members arranged for sliding association with the coilspring of a knitting machine, a plurality of connector bars secured tothe periphery of said members, and an extension on one of said barsarranged for connection with the spring.

4. A device of the character described comprising a plurality ofsleeve-like members arranged for sliding association with a coil spring,and means arranged to maintain the members in spaced relationship on thespring, said means being spaced from the spring and functioning to stoplateral spring vibrations which reach a magnitude defined by the spacebetween the spring and said means.

5. A device of the character described comprising a plurality ofresilient clamping collars arranged for sliding association with a coilspring, a rod-like element to which said clamping collars are fastenedin spaced relationship, and means arranged to anchor said device to saidspring.

6. A device of the character described comprising a plurality ofresilient vibration subduing members arranged for sliding associationwith a coil spring, and a longitudinally extending connector to whichsaid mounting members are secured in spaced relationship, said connectorhaving a portion thereof arranged to anchor the device to said coilspring.

7. A device of the character described comprising a plurality ofclamping collars for detachably securing the device to the spring, aplurality of longitudinal connector members arranged in spaced parallelrelationshipcircumferentially of the spring and to which said clampingcollars are rigidly secured at spaced intervals, one of said connectormembers having a portion thereof arranged to cooperate with said springto prevent longitudinal displacement of the device relative to saidspring.

8. A device of the character described comprising a plurality ofclamping collars for attachment circumferentially of the spring atspaced intervals longitudinally thereof, a plurality of longitudinalconnector members normally spaced from said spring and arranged inspaced parallel relationship circumferentially of the spring and towhich said clamping collars are rigidly secured, one of said connectormembers having a portion thereof shaped to conform with the contour ofan end portion of said spring, and another of said connector membershaving a portion anchored to the spring to prevent longitudinaldisplacement of said device.

9. A coil spring appliance comprising a plurality of axially spacedcylindrical collar members of thin metal arranged to be sprung around acoil spring having an outside diameter larger than the inside diameterof the members and having their central transverse planes substantiallyat right angles to the axis of the spring when in use, the applianceengaged solely by the spring in use, means for effecting slidingcooperation in use between the spring and said member and means forholding the collar members to the spring.

10. A coil spring appliance comprising a plurality of axially spacedcylindrical collar members of thin metal arranged to be sprung around acoil having an outside diameter larger than the inside diameter of saidmembers and having their central transverse planes substantially atright angles to the axis of the spring, means for maintaining saidmembers in sliding coaction with the spring in use, and means foranchoring the appliance to one end of the spring.

11. The combination with a coil spring and means for effecting highfrequency operation thereof, of an appliance supported entirely on thespring comprising a plurality of generally cylindrical light metalliccollar members surrounding more than but lessthan 360 of arc of saidspring and slidable thereon, and metallic spacer means connecting saidmembers and maintaining them a fixed distance apart.

12. The combination with a coil spring and means for effecting highfrequency operation of the latter of means entirely on the spring forsuppressing detrimental vibrations of said spring comprising a resilientgenerally cylindrical collar extending over more than 180 degrees butless than 360 degrees of arc and adapted to be sprung onto said springby a movement transverse to the axis of the spring but slidablerelatively to the coils of the spring when the spring elongates andcontracts and having a part fixed thereto for attaching the collar tothespring.

13. The combination with a coil spring and means for effecting highfrequency operation of the latter of a plurality of resilient generallycylindrical light metallic collars of more than 180 but less than 360adapted and arranged to be sprung over the spring by a movementtransverse to the axis of the spring, and spacing means connecting saidcollars and having a portion for anchoring said collars against movementlongitudinally of the spring.

14. A device for damping vibrations in coil springs comprising aresilient generally cylin: drical light metallic collar member extendingmorethan 180 and less than360 of. arcadapted to be sprung around aspring by a. movement transverse to the axis of the spring, the edges ofthe gap in the collar being bent outward. to facilitate springing thedevice in place, and a member ,fixed to saidv collar and adapted toengage the spring to anchor the device to the spring.

15. Ina combination with a coil spring of, a devic for suppressingdeleterious vibrations of the spring, comprising one or more resilientcollars adapted to be snapped. onto the spring bya movement transverseto the spring and, having sliding relation with the coils of thespringin use, and a part associated with one. of said collars and arranged to.pass between turns of the spring for determining the position. thereof.

16. In a combination of a coil spring and. a device for suppressingdeleterious vibrations of the spring, the improvement comprising a 001-.lar, adapted, to be snapped onto the spring by a movement. transverseto the spring and" having sliding relation to the coils of the springinuse, and a part connected to said collar arranged to pass betweencoils ofthe spring at the time of said transverse movement and to bebent to hold the collar from movement lengthwise on the spring.

17. In. a combination of a. coil spring capable of developing deleteriouvibrations in use, means for effecting high frequency operation thereofand a device for suppressing said vibrations, the improvement comprisinga collar extending over more than 1 80 degrees of arc and less than 360degrees of arc, said collar surrounding and entirely supported on theouter surface of the spring and having sliding relation to the coils ofthe spring in use, and means engaging only the coils. of the spring forholding said collar in 20 position longitudinally of the spring.

THEARON GLENWO OD STOUDT.

